Absorbent bed pad with stabilizing strips

ABSTRACT

The pad has an upper cotton layer quilted to an underlying soaker layer formed of needle-punched nonwoven polyester fibers having good absorbency and wickability. A plurality of longitudinally and transversely extending stabilizing strips underlie the soaker layer. The strips are preferably formed of nylon fabric having a dry polymer coating which renders the fabric waterproof and heat-bondable. The pad also includes a lower layer formed of the same type of coated nylon fabric. The stabilizing strips are connected by stitching to the upper layer and the soaker layer of the pad, and are bonded to the pad&#39;s bottom layer. The bonding is effected by application of heat and pressure sufficient to effect melding of the coatings upon the stabilizing strips and the lower layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bed pads of the type used to absorb urine,blood and/or other body fluids discharged by bedridden persons who areincontinent or have bleeding wounds, surgical incisions or the like. Theinvention more specifically relates to a pad of the foregoing type thatis reusable and that can retain its desirable properties and functionseven after being washed or laundered many times.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One function of a bed pad of the above-noted type is to prevent or atleast minimize soiling of the mattress and/or bed linens of the bed uponwhich the pad is used. Another important function of the pad is toenhance the comfort of the person lying upon the pad. The bedriddenperson's comfort is enhanced when the pad conducts the discharged fluidaway from his or her body, and is also enhanced when the pad issubstantially free from "lumps" or the like created by undesirabledisplacement of fibrous or other absorbent filling material within thepad. Lumps and the like are particularly likely to form in a reusablepad that is subjected to repeated laundering operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent bed pad that, while of areusable type adopted to undergo repeated laundering, possesses thepreviously-noted desirable attributes, and other desirable benefits. Thepad includes an upper layer of soft fabric material, an underlying"soaker" layer of absorbent fibers, a plurality of relatively long andnarrow stabilizing strips underlying the soaker layer, and a liquidimpervious layer underlying the foregoing layers and strips. The pad mayalso include a binder strip that encircles the periphery of the pad.

In a preferred embodiment of the pad, its upper layer, soaker layer andstabilizing strips are secured together by stitching, and thestabilizing strips are bonded to the pad's liquid impervious lowerlayer. Such bonding is preferably achieved by application of heat andpressure to dry thermoplastic polymeric coating material upon theconfronting surfaces of the stabilizing strips and the lower layer ofthe pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment thereof, which should be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG 1 is a foreshortened top perspective view of an absorbent bed pad inaccordance with the invention, a corner of the pad being partiallyfolded over so as to also show part of the bottom thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongthe lines and in the direction of the arrows 2--2 through the pad ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the polymer coated lowerlayer of the pad in exploded relationship to the overlying part of thepad; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the lines and in the direction of the arrows 4--4 through an edgeportion of the pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The absorbent bed pad identified in the drawings in its entirety by thenumeral 10 includes an upper layer 12 formed of liquid perviousmaterial, which preferably and illustratively is a soft cotton fabric.Upper layer 12 overlies a relatively thick coextensive "soaker" layer 14comprised of needle-punched polyester or similar fibers that readilyabsorb and retain liquids, and have good wickability. The weight oflayer 14 preferably is approximately nine ounces per square yard. Layers12, 14 are secured together by quilting stitches 16, which preferablynumber approximately eight to ten per inch.

A plurality of relatively long and narrow stabilizing strips 18 aresecured at spaced intervals to the undersurface of soaker layer 14 bystitches 20 that also extend through upper layer 12. The stabilizingstrips 18 illustratively include a strip 18a that is locatedapproximately centrally of the width of pad 10 and that extends alongsubstantially its entire length. The strips 18 further include twostrips 18b that extend perpendicularly relative to strip 18a, and inlaterally spaced substantially parallel relationship to each other andto the opposite ends of pad 10, between the opposite sides of the pad.Each of the strips 18 preferably is formed of oxford cloth woven from200 denier type 66 bright nylon yarn, having a thread count of about60×50, and a weight in the range of approximately 2.7-3.3 ounces persquare yard. The surface of the cloth constituting the lower surface ofeach strip 18 is coated with approximately 1.5-2.5 ounces (dry weight)per square yard of thermoplastic polymeric material, preferablypolyether polyurethane. The coating renders the fabric liquid imperviousand heat-bondable to a similarly constructed and coated fabric. Thecoating, which is identified in FIG. 3 of the drawings by the numeral22a, preferably covers substantially the entire lower surface of each ofthe stabilizing strips 18.

The remaining, lower layer 24 of pad 10 may be and illustratively ismade of the same liquid impervious, heat-bondable, coated nylon cloth asthat from which stabilizing strips 18 are formed. However, layer 24 isoriented such that its polyurethane coating 22b is upon and coextensivewith its upper surface, rather than its lower surface. The confrontingsurfaces of stabilizing strips 18 and lower layer 24 are bondedtogether, preferably and illustratively throughout substantially theentire length and width of the strips. The bonding operation may be andpreferably is accomplished without the use of any extraneous adhesive,by pressing the confronting coated surfaces of strips 18 and layer 24together while heating them sufficiently to effect melding of thepolyurethane coatings 22a, 22b thereon. The melded coatings, which aredesignated in FIG. 2 of the drawings by the numeral 22, provide a stripadhesion of approximately 25 psi between each strip 18 and layer 24.

An edge binding strip 26 encircles the periphery of the superimposedlayers 12, 14 and 24 of pad 10. Strip 26, which may be andillustratively is formed of cotton fabric, assists in preventing escapeof liquid from the edges of the pad, and strengthens such edges. Theupper and lower sections of the strip are each preferably folded uponthemselves to provide a double thickness. Single needle lock stitches(preferably approximately eight to ten per inch) 28 secure binding strip26 and the peripheral sections of pad layers 12, 14 and 24 together.

Except adjacent its peripheral edges, lower layer 24 is free from needleholes that might possibly permit leakage of liquid through such layer.If desired, the binder strip might instead be formed of a materialcapable of being secured in place by bonding, rather than by stitches.This would further decrease the possibility of leakage of liquid fromthe pad 10 during use.

Pad 10 is highly durable, and is capable of withstanding a large numberof laundering operations without loss of its structural integrity orcomfort. In the latter regard, the formation of undesirable lumps or thelike within soaker layer 14, by reason of "clumping" or otherdisplacement of its fibers, is minimized since layer 14 is secured inplace not only by stitching, but also by stabilizing strips 18.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, this was for purposes of illustration only, and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordancewith the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A reusable absorbent bed pad adapted to be launderedrepeatedly, comprising:an upper layer of liquid pervious material; asoaker layer of liquid absorbent material underlying said upper layer; aplurality of relatively long and narrow stabilizing strips underlyingsaid soaker layer; a lower layer of liquid impervious materialunderlying said stabilizing strips and said soaker layer, saidstabilizing strips and said lower layer being bonded together; andsecuring means securing said stabilizing strips to said soaker layer andto said lower layer.
 2. A pad as in claim 1, and further including anedge binding strip secured to the periphery of said pad.
 3. A pad as inclaim 2, wherein said edge binding strip is secured to said upper layer,said soaker layer and said stabilizing strips by stitching.
 4. A pad asin claim 1, wherein said upper layer is formed of cotton fabricmaterial.
 5. A pad as in claim 4, wherein said soaker layer is formed ofneedle-punched nonwoven fibers.
 6. A pad as in claim 5, wherein saidstabilizing strips include at least a first strip and a second stripextending in a transverse relationship to each other.
 7. A pad as inclaim 6, wherein at least one of said stabilizing strips extends fromone edge of said pad to another edge of said pad.
 8. A pad as in claim7, wherein said first and second stabilizing strips extend insubstantially perpendicular relationship to each other.
 9. A pad as inclaim 8, wherein said stabilizing strips further include a third stripextending in generally parallel, laterally spaced relationship to one ofsaid first and second strips.
 10. A pad as in claim 9, wherein saidlower layer is formed of fabric having a coating of polymeric materialupon at least one side thereof.
 11. A pad as in claim 10, wherein saidfabric of said lower layer is nylon oxford cloth, and said coating isupon the upper side thereof.
 12. A pad as in claim 11, wherein saidstabilizing strips are secured along substantially the entire lengththereof to said lower layer
 13. A pad as in claim 12, wherein saidstabilizing strips are secured to said lower layer by said coating ofpolymeric material.
 14. A pad as in claim 13, wherein said stabilizingstrips have a coating of said polymeric material upon the lower surfacesthereof, and said coating of polymeric material upon said stabilizingstrips assists in securing said strips to said lower layer.
 15. A pad asin claim 14, wherein said polymeric material is polyether polyurethane.16. A pad as in claim 15, wherein said coating upon each of said stripsand upon said lower layer has a dry weight within the range ofapproximately 1.5-2.5 ounces per square yard.
 17. A pad as in claim 16,wherein said nylon fabric is formed of 200 denier type 66 bright nylonyarn and has a thread count of approximately 60×50.
 18. A reusableabsorbent bed pad adapted to be laundered repeatedly, comprising:anupper layer of liquid pervious material; a soaker layer of liquidabsorbent material underlying and substantially coextensive with saidupper layer; a plurality of stabilizing strips underlying said soakerlayer; a lower layer of liquid impervious material underlying saidstabilizing strips and said soaker layer; said stabilizing strips andsaid lower layer being bonded together.
 19. A pad as in claim 18, andfurther including stitching securing said upper layer, said soaker layerand said stabilizing strips together.
 20. A pad as in claim 18, whereinsaid stabilizing strips and said lower layer each have a coating ofthermoplastic polymeric material thereon, and said bonding is effectedby said thermoplastic polymeric material.